Late-Night Host Tom Snyder Dies

Tom Snyder, whose unique late-night television interviews from "The Tomorrow Show" ranged from hard-hitting to drunken chaos, has died at the age of 71.

The talk show host died in San Francisco on Sunday, July 29 after a struggle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, report news sources.

Snyder's hosting style was casual and inviting, filled with robust laughter, improvised lines and smoking on set. His show's catchphrase was, "Fire up a colortini, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now, as they fly through the air."
Dan Aykroyd was inspired to impersonate Snyder on "Saturday Night Live."

Born on May, 12, 1936 in Milwaukee, WI. He began his broadcast career early, at age 21 on a local radio station. From there, he moved on to local TV news and then anchored in Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

In 1972, Snyder took his place on "The Tomorrow Show," which followed "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. Among Snyder's most memorable interviews are John Lennon, Charles Manson, KISS, Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols and U2.

After the show's cancellation, Snyder moved on to anchor news in New York, then a brief afternoon talk show stint and onto the three-hour ABC radio show the "Tom Snyder Show." Friend David Letterman then helped hire Snyder in 1995 for "The Late Late Show," which eventually changed hands to Craig Kilborn and then Craig Ferguson.

Snyder is survived by his daughter Anne Mari Snyder and two grandchildren.